Abstract: A sheet stacking device for stacking sheets of generally rigid material, comprised of at least one gripper device operable to releasably grip an edge of a sheet material and gripper drive means operable to move the gripper device from a first location to a second location. A support device supports the sheet as the sheet moves from the first location to the second location. The support device has a supporting position, wherein the support device supports the sheet and a non-supporting position wherein support for the sheet is removed. A stacking platform is provided below the second location. Control means control the gripper device, the gripper drive means and the support device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resistor foil, comprised of a copper layer having a first side and a second side. A tiecoat metal layer having a thickness of between 5 Å and 70 Å is disposed on the first side of the copper layer. A first layer of a first resistor metal having a thickness of between 100 Å and 500 Å is disposed on the tiecoat metal layer, and a second layer of a second resistor metal having a thickness of between 100 Å and 500 Å is disposed on the first layer of the first resistor metal. The first resistor metal has a resistance different from the second resistor metal.

Abstract: A resistive etching solution containing thiourea, which is particularly suitable for etching an electrically resistive material comprised of a nickel-chromium alloy. The resistive etching solution allows for fast and effective etching of a nickel-chromium alloy in cases where the ratio of (a) copper surface area to (b) nickel/chromium surface area, is relatively large, and where fine feature etching is desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a relatively thin releasable layer of copper on a carrier substrate. First, a separation facilitating layer is provided on the carrier substrate. A layer of vapor-deposited copper is then formed over the separation facilitating layer to protect the separation facilitating layer during subsequent processing. Thereafter, the thickness of the copper layer is increased by the electrodeposition of copper onto the vapor-deposited layer. The copper layer is applied to a dielectric and is released from the carrier substrate at the separation facilitating layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of increasing resin dust resistance of metal foil comprising contacting the metal foil with an inert silane, titanate or zirconate compound to form a resin dust resistant film having a thickness from about 0.001 microns to about 1 micron on a surface of the metal foil. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating metal foil comprising contacting a first side of the metal foil with a hydrocarbylsilane solution to form a resin dust resistant film on a surface of the metal foil, the hydrocarbylsilane solution comprising from about 0.01% to about 10% v/v of a hydrocarbylsilane; and laminating a second side of the metal foil to a prepreg.

Abstract: A composite for use in forming a multi-layer printed circuit board, comprised of an INVAR® sheet having a thickness of between 0.5 mil and 5 mil; and a layer of electrodeposited copper on at least one side thereof. The copper has a thickness of between 1&mgr; and 50&mgr;, wherein the composite has a thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of about 2.8 to 6.0 ppm at temperatures between 0° F. and 200° F.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing electronic interconnection devices, comprised of a polyimide film having a thickness of between about 12 &mgr;m and about 125 &mgr;m. A chromium tiecoat on a surface of the polyimide film, the chromium tiecoat having a thickness of between about 300 Å and about 350 Å and a copper layer on the tiecoat, the copper layer having a thickness between about 300 Å and about 70 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A composite for use in forming a multi-layer printed circuit board, comprised of an INVAR® sheet having a thickness of between 0.5 mil and 5 mil; and a layer of electrodeposited copper on at least one side thereof. The copper has a thickness of between 1&mgr; and 50&mgr;, wherein the composite has a thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of about 2.8 to 6.0 ppm at temperatures between 0° F. and 200° F.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing articles such as printed circuit boards having a sheet of copper foil and a metal sheet. One surface of each of the copper sheet and the metal sheet are essentially uncontaminated and engageable with each other at an interface. The copper sheet and the metal sheet are maintained together to define an unjoined and substantially uncontaminated central zone inwardly of the edges of the sheets. A bond is formed between the copper sheet and the metallic sheet along the peripheral edges thereof. The bond has sufficient adhesive strength to maintain the sheets together during manual handling of the component at room temperatures. The bond is temperature-sensitive, wherein the bond deteriorates when exposed to temperatures in excess of about 180° F. (about 82° C.).

Abstract: A method of applying a metal onto a copper layer, comprising the steps of: stabilizing a surface of a copper layer by applying a stabilization layer thereto, the stabilization layer comprised of zinc oxide, chromium oxide, nickel, nickel oxide or a combination thereof and having a thickness of between about 5 Å and about 70 Å; and vapor depositing a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, copper, iron, indium, zinc, tantalum, tin, vanadium, tungsten, zirconium, molybdenum and alloys thereof onto the stabilized surface of the copper layer, and a sheet material formed thereby.

Abstract: A sheet material, comprised of a copper foil treated to have a stabilization layer thereon. The stabilization layer is comprised of zinc oxide, chromium oxide or a combination thereof having a thickness between about 5 Å and about 70 Å. A vapor deposited resistive material is provided on the stabilization layer.

Abstract: A resistor foil comprised of a layer of copper foil and a coating of an organic molecular semiconductor material on one side of the copper foil.

Abstract: A component for use in forming a printed circuit board comprised of a copper foil, a layer of chromium chemically deposited thereon, the layer of chromium having a thickness of less than about 0.10 &mgr;m; and a layer of electrodeposited copper on the layer of chromium, the layer of electrodeposited copper having a thickness of less than 35 &mgr;m. A nodular treatment layer is provided on the copper foil and the layer of electrodeposited copper.

Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing articles such as printed circuit boards, the component comprising:

Abstract: A sheet stacking device, comprised of a sheet support bed having a plurality of side-by-side rollers that are freely rotatable about an associated roller axis. A drive assembly moves the sheet support bed in a predetermined direction along a closed path. The path has a horizontal upper run and a horizontal lower run, and is dimensioned such that a space exists between the first end and the second end of the sheet support bed as the sheet support bed moves along the path.

Abstract: A package for a fiber optic device or fiber optic component having at least one optical fiber extending therefrom. The package is comprised of a support substrate for supporting the optical device or optic component, the support substrate having at least one optical fiber extending therefrom. A housing surrounds the substrate and has an opening at one end. At least one optical fiber extends through the opening. A layer of metal seals the opening of each end of the tube and the glass fiber cladding where the optical fiber extends through the layer of metal.

Abstract: A component for use in forming a multi-layer printed circuit comprised of a film substrate formed of a first polymeric material. At least one layer of a flash metal is applied to a first side of the film substrate, and at least one layer of copper is applied on the layer of flash metal. A discrete area of a resistive material is disposed on a second side of the film substrate.

Abstract: A resistor foil, comprised of a copper layer having a first side and a second side. A tiecoat metal layer having a thickness of between 5 Å and 70 Å is disposed on the first side of the copper layer. A first layer of a first resistor metal having a thickness of between 100 Å and 500 Å is disposed on the tiecoat metal layer, and a second layer of a second resistor metal having a thickness of between 100 Å and 500 Å is disposed on the first layer of the first resistor metal. The first resistor metal has a resistance different from the second resistor metal.

Abstract: A resistor foil, comprised of a copper layer having a first side and a second side. An intermediate layer having a thickness of between 5 Å and 70 Å is disposed on the first side of the copper layer. A first layer of a first resistor metal having a thickness of between 50 Å and 2 &mgr;m is disposed on the intermediate layer, and a second layer of a second resistor metal having a thickness of between 50 Å and 2 &mgr;m is disposed on the first layer of the first resistor metal. The first resistor metal has a resistance different from the second resistor metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate for use in the production of printed circuit boards, comprising the steps of: a) forming a component comprised of a sheet of copper foil and a sheet of metal, the sheet of copper foil having an essentially uncontaminated surface facing an essentially uncontaminated surface of the sheet of metal, the surfaces of the sheets being in unattached contact with each other in an area that defines a substantially uncontaminated zone; b) applying a preformed adhesive film formed of a substantially uncured polymeric material onto an exposed surface of the copper foil, the adhesive film having a first surface and a second surface, the film being attached to the component with the first surface in contact with an exposed surface of the copper foil; and c) curing the adhesive film, wherein the second surface of the adhesive film is at least partially uncured.